Dietary composition and method for promoting healthy hair growth and melanogenesis

Abstract

A dietary composition for promoting melanogenesis in hair of a user comprising approximately 5,000 IU per day of catalase, a synergistic core component, 5-α-reductase inhibitors, an antioxidant component, and approximately 200 mg per day of L-tyrosine. Preferably, the synergistic core component comprises copper, vitamin B6, biotin, para-aminobenzoic acid, folic acid, zinc, and pantothenic acid. Further, 5-α-reductase inhibitors preferably comprise Saw palmetto, phytosterols, and nettle root extract. The antioxidant component preferably comprises horsetail, Fo-Ti, chlorophyll, and barley grass.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to a dietary composition and method of combating graying of mammalian hair. In particular, the dietary composition according to the present invention comprises a combination of catalase, a synergistic core component, 5α-reductase inhibitors, an antioxidant component, and L-tyrosine for retarding, preventing, and / or reversing the graying of hair of a user.BACKGROUND, OF THE INVENTION[0002]Hair is a keratin-containing filament that grows from the dermis of the skin. Found exclusively in mammals, hair often refers to two distinct structures: (1) the hair follicle; and (2) the shaft. The hair follicle is an organ located in the dermis of the skin. The main function of the hair follicle is to maintain stem cells to produce hair shaft. On the other hand, the hair shaft is always external to the skin. Roughly three components constitute the hair shaft. The first component, the cuticle, is the outermost structure comprising fla...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]It is another object of the invention to provide a dietary composition that promotes healthy hair in humans comprising catalase and a synergistic core component comprising copper, vitamin B6, biotin, para-aminobenzoic acid, folic acid, zinc, and pantothenic acid.

[0027]It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method of retarding, preventing, and / or reversing the graying of hair by orally administering a dietary composition comprising L-tyrosine, an antioxidant component, 5α-reductase inhibitors, catalase, and a synergistic core component comprising copper, vitamin B6, biotin, para-aminobenzoic acid, folic acid, zinc, and pantothenic acid.

Problems solved by technology

With age, hair tends to lose its volume, sheen and color, resulting in gray hair having thin and brittle appearance.

This transformation is often regarded as a sign of old age, ill health, and bodily decline.

Unfortunately, there are currently very limited options available.

However, applying coloring and / or bleaching has its disadvantages.

One such disadvantage is the nuisance of regular touch up of colored / bleached hair.

Furthermore, coloring / bleaching could be messy and its outcomes could be at times unpredictable, especially when it is self-applied.

Additionally, coloring / bleaching could pose health risks to users.

For example, irritating chemicals used in coloring / bleaching compositions cause allergic reactions and eye irritation in some cases.

Moreover, certain ingredients in coloring / bleaching compositions may penetrate human and animal skin and cause health risks.

These ingredients have been reported to cause cancer in at least one animal species in lifetime feeding studies.

However, these findings remain inconsistent, and thus, potential health risks posed by coloring / bleaching are unknown.

However, these ingredients may not achieve their effects on gray hair to their fullest potential, as the ingredients are unaccompanied by suitable agents to amplify the beneficial effects on hair.

H2O2 is a byproduct of oxygen metabolism and a major contributor to oxidative damage due to its strong oxidizing capacity.

However, when excess H2O2 accumulates, cells and their components incur oxidative damage.

The damage could irreversibly deactivate the function of tyrosinase.

Furthermore, accumulation of H2O2 ultimately leads to apoptosis (“cell death”) of hair follicle melanocytes, cells that perform melanogenesis.

As a result of these events, melanogenesis is hindered, leading to gradual loss of hair color.

As the body produces less catalase with age, imbalance occurs in the relative concentrations of catalase and H2O2.

Intravenous injection or topical application of catalase is undesirable, as these methods could be inconvenient, ineffective, and / or unsafe.

However, the effect of orally administered catalase without proper enhancing agents is inadequate to prevent graying of hair.